Starz, Sony Extend Deal Through 2021

Starz and Sony have announced a new first-run premium output agreement through 2021 that will bring films including "The Amazing Spider-Man," "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Men in Black 3" to the network.

The deal gives Starz the exclusive pay television rights to Sony Pictures’ theatrical releases, extending an agreement between the two companies that had covered films released theatrically through 2016.

Beginning with 2005 theatrical releases, Starz has been the exclusive first-run pay television home for the exhibition of Sony Pictures’ films including titles from Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, TriStar, and Screen Gems.

“Starz and Encore subscribers have enjoyed the consistently stellar theatrical product from Sony, and we are thrilled to extend our exclusive partnership into the next decade,” said Starz CEO Chris Albrecht.

Starz is also the exclusive home of Disney theatrical releases, including its Lucasfilm, Marvel and Pixar films, and their accompanying digital streaming rights, into 2017.